Echoes of Philomel

A Hand Reaches Through the Night

To be continued...

"...This is not the time. You have to go to your father.

"Philo Mel wiped away her tears and hurried her feet. It was Eustis who held her own lifeline, not them.

'So I won't get hurt.

'She walked slowly, looking around her. Since she was still young, she lived in the palace of her emperor without being granted her own palace. Besides, for some reason, there were fewer people in the palace at some point. Evading the few attendants, she arrived in front of the emperor's office.Due to the nature of Eustis, who does not have a separate escort in the palace, there was no one near the office.

Philomel gently opened her door."... So persistent, Pollan."

Through the narrow crack in the door, she could see the interior of the office. Despite the splendid decorations, Eustis and Count Pollan were in a room that had a rustic feel. Count Pollan was in the middle of giving a mantra to the emperor who was sitting in front of the desk.

"But, Your Majesty. Since the princess is unwell, wouldn't it be better to visit her?"

Just in time, their topic was Philomel.

Rather, it was great. She would be able to know what Eutis thought of her without asking him herself. So Philomel quietly listened to them.

The emperor frowned and said.

"Why do you care so much about it? Do you even feel sympathy for her being sick? I'm sure she'll be faking it again anyway."

"The courtier said she caught a really bad cold this time."

"Therefore?"

"If His Majesty visits, great power will be given to the princess..."

"A cold is not so much."

Count Pollan was silent for a moment. He had been loyal to Eustis since he was a prince. So he was relatively free to ask personal questions.

"Your Majesty, why are you so hard on your daughter? Isn't she your only blood relative?"

Philomel's chest tightened. She herself was always curious. Why didn't he give affection to Philomel?And the emperor's answer was shocking.

"I never once felt it was my child."

She felt like if something hit her head.

"Do you think the reason Isabella died was because of the princess? So..."

"Shut up."

"...I apologize."

Pollan immediately lowered his head at Eustis' sad expression. The story of his wife who died in front of him was a kind of taboo.

Sullenly, the emperor said.

"I once thought so. It was very disappointing. To the point where I wanted to take her life with these hands."

"..."

"But that is a thing of the past. I have no feelings now."

"Why..."

"Because there are no expectations. I didn't want it to fill Isabella's void. I would be satisfied if she had a minimal role as successor."

Eustis, who pressed his forehead with a tired face, continued.

"But what are the results? She is insincere in class, and she only produces insignificant results. Yesterday, she even showed ugliness in front of many people."